Every ache and pain counts, or "How I found out I have Cancer"

[ThomWV]

It started with a small pain in my side. It wasn't much but it was there (right about where the appendix is) every morning. It wasn't getting any better but it really wasn't very bothersome.

My wife made appointments for each of us to have a general checkup last spring. I had one 7 years ago when I retired, but nothing since. We had no family doctor, but my wife thought the guy we were going to for the exams would probably be it. As the Doctor went over my history and complaints I almost forgot to mention the little morning pain. Almost. I told him about it and he thought it was worth pursuing, So he sent me for an ultrasound. It came up clear and that was that.

By mid summer the morning pain had got worse and was lasting longer into the day. Some days it would go for an hour or more before fading out, sometimes the pain was pretty extreme. I went back to the doctor. I told him I thought my appendix was going south. He poked around and then got other Doctors involved. This was done, that was done, Cat-scans and MRIs, biopsies galore, and then they found my new friend. It was hiding behind my stomach, feeding on the blood supply returning from my legs. Its reach spanned my abdomen to the right but I'm not very big so that's not as much as it sounds. As its been described to me the tumor is about the size of a tennis ball, but shaped more like a toothpaste tube.

And thats it. Today I'm waiting to schedule the surgery that will remove the thing. They may take a couple of other parts too. But the pain is great now, even the Oxycodone won't touch it, and so its going to have to come out soon. If I survive the operation its going to be a long winter.

And what is the purpose of this? Well, if you're like me and spent most of your life avoiding Doctors you too might be reluctant to go for a visit for every ache and pain. All I can tell you is to go. Get yourself a Doctor you can talk to and then talk to her or him. It starts so little and grows into so much. Please, don't be like me and brush it off until it hurts so much it effects what you can and can not do. Please.

[seabeyond]

1. thank you for this post

i am always curious about this but some may feel it is insensitive to ask.

you said something so much earlier. and they found nothing

i have an issue with thyroid and spent the time and different doctors and test and came up nothing. yet still, a couple years later it flares up. i think i will have it checked again.

i wish you the best in your own experience and thanks again for your post

[rurallib]

2. With a $10,000 deductible going to a doctor is a luxury I can't really afford

so lots of aches and pains get ignored.
My wife has Medicare so she gets great treatment.

[jannyk]

24. same here.

[livetohike]

3. Thanks for posting this

and of course you will survive the surgery ThomWV :hug: We will all be here supporting your recovery.

[AtomicKitten]

4. Thanks for your story. Your persistence paid off. Now on to a speedy recovery. /nt

[geardaddy]

5. Thanks for posting this.

Take care and get well soon.

[Bake]

6. OMG ... you too????

Sorry, Thom! Geez.

:hi:

Bake

[sinkingfeeling]

7. Sorry to read about the diagnosis. Will you be getting chemo/radiation as follow up?

[ThomWV]

9. So far, probably not. Or should I say hopefully not?

The cancer I have is not particularly responsive to Chemo, or that's what the Doctors are telling me. My son's ladies' (Unmarried, 1 child) father is an oncologist and he recommended a fellow Doctor at the Cleveland Clinic to do the operation. I am told this fellow is the best that can be had anywhere. So I went and saw him and he agreed to cut my friend out. Then, along with a bevy of other Oncologists they thought I probably would not have to to through Chemo. Of course that's still up in the air, but so far I don't have a port.

You know what amazes me more about this than anything? Well, its the pain of course, that part will certainly get your attention. But the thing that I don't understand about myself is that I'm not terribly concerned about it. I don't feel any great apprehension, no great fear of the future, nothing like that. My wife was pretty upset at first, but she's calmed down a good bit in the last month but my two sisters, my goodness, who knew they'd go nutzoid on me?

[sinkingfeeling]

11. I only broke down once after they discovered my tonsil cancer. I was like you. Hadn't seen a

doctor in a decade. I also remained pretty calm and declined the chemo. I had surgery (that's when they actually found the cancer) and 33 radiation treatments. Going on 3 years clear. Good luck, my friend.

[fizzgig]

22. i've heard nothing but great things about cleveland clinic

my best to you

[dawg]

8. Prayers and good vibes for you Thom.

It's the damndest thing. As we get older, something always hurts - doesn't feel right - isn't working properly. 99 times out of 100 it's nothing and just resolves itself. But that 1% of the time it's something serious.

And it's always such a hard decision about seeking medical attention. I really, really hate the fact that we value money more than we value people in this country. :hi:

[graywarrior]

10. Wow, hope things work out well for you, ThomWV

My aunt had a similar thing about 20 years ago and had the tumor removed. She lived another 15 years.

I'll be thinking of you throughout your ordeal.

[pacalo]

12. I've always enjoyed your posts, Thom, & I'm sorry to hear this.

My mom had a lump the size of a golf ball in her breast when she learned she had breast cancer eleven years ago; she's been cancer-free since her mastectomy.

Take care, Thom -- I worked with a lot of West Virginians & they're good people; love their wry sense of humor. :)

I'm hoping for the best outcome for you.

:hug:

[JohnnyLib2]

13. All kinds of good wishes.

And thanks for the eye-opening post.

[applegrove]

14. vibes to you. I hope all goes well.

[bigwillq]

15. All the best to you.

:hug:

Thanks for sharing your story. Good advice.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

16. restful vibes and healing energy for you ThomWV

:hug:

[ThomWV]

17. Well, thank you all. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks folks. I don't know why but I think everything will be OK. Your good thoughts confirm it.

[emilyg]

23. Everything will be Ok. I can vouch

that there is life after cancer.

[kayakjohnny]

18. Thanks for such a well-written post. This will help a lot of people in the long term.

It scares me though, as I am just the type to ignore most pain and try to shake it off.

Thinking it's got to be something short term.

Usually it is.

So far so good, but now you got me thinking about the future.

Thanks Thom.

You are helping people with this post.

All the best for your outcome.

[elleng]

19. Thanks, Thom; will do, and will think of you when doing so.

BEST WISHES.

:thumbsup:

[vard28]

20. Hate to hear another person has cancer

Glad to hear that it has been discovered and you have your plan. Thank you for sharing and reminding all of us to not ignore the signals our bodies give us. Take care of yourself and keep us posted. :hug:

[Flaxbee]

21. Wow - I am glad you did go to the doctor and followed through

though I know what you mean about avoiding doctors.

I hope your surgery is soon so you can alleviate the pain.

I am sorry to hear this, though you sound as if you're handling it well. I'm glad your wife is, too, because she'll be much more help to your healing process if she's steady.

I'll be sending you no-pain vibes, and would love to hear updates as/when you feel like posting them.

All my very best to you. :hug: You've been at DU a long time; hope you can stay much much longer.

[blueamy66]

25. Good luck go you.

and speedy recovery

[KC]

26. I'm glad

you went to the Dr. I hope the surgery is soon so you can start your recovery ! Please let us know how you are doing when
you are up to it